Sledgehammer Founder Glen Schofield on EA Sale

Gaming industry veteran Glen Schofield—the creator of Dead Space and co-founder of Sledgehammer Games and Striking Distance Studios—has shared an emotional reflection on the changing landscape of two publishers that defined his career: EA and Activision.

In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Schofield described the sale of EA and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision as a “bittersweet moment” that marks the end of an era for gaming’s biggest powerhouses.

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Two Gaming Giants Enter New Eras

Schofield’s post comes as both EA and Activision transition away from their roles as dominant independent publishers. Microsoft completed its massive $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, while EA faces its own ownership changes.

“In the span of just a few years, the two publishing giants who shaped the last 20+ years of our industry have both entered new eras,” Schofield wrote. “I spent roughly a decade at each company, right in their primes.”

For someone who built franchises like Dead Space at EA and Call of Duty at Activision, watching these companies transition hits on a personal level.

“Watching them fade from their roles as dominant publishers and powerhouse training grounds hits harder than I expected.”

EA: The Disciplined “Creative All-Star Lineup”

Schofield painted a vivid picture of EA’s corporate culture during his time there, describing it as “buttoned-up, disciplined, and structured in a way that forced you to rise to the level of the room.”

What Made EA Special

Intense franchise reviews:

No shortcuts or guessing allowed
You had to know every inch of your game
Leadership would challenge, push, and test you
But you always knew exactly where you stood afterward

The talent factor: Reflecting on his first meeting as an executive producer, Schofield said “being [at EA] felt like a creative all-star lineup” with “so many legends in one place.”

This disciplined approach created an environment where developers were constantly pushed to elevate their craft. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it produced results—EA’s output during Schofield’s tenure included some of gaming’s most successful franchises.

Activision: “A Storm of A-Type Personalities”

By contrast, Schofield described Activision as having a completely different energy—equally productive but far more chaotic.

The Activision Experience

Passionate, borderline chaotic meetings:

“Review meetings were loud, passionate, borderline chaotic”
People calling out questions over one another
But the questions were “sharp, focused, and always aimed at making the game better”
One-hour meetings regularly became two and a half hours
Somehow, the time always felt well spent

“A storm of A-type personalities, but in the best possible way,” Schofield recalled.

This high-energy, competitive atmosphere fostered creativity through controlled chaos. It’s no coincidence that Activision dominated the gaming landscape during this period, with Call of Duty becoming one of the industry’s most valuable franchises.

More Than Just Publishers—They Were Training Grounds

What comes through most clearly in Schofield’s reflection is gratitude for how these companies shaped careers, including his own.

“It’s tough to watch these companies step back from what they once were: major publishers, major developers, and incredible places to grow, learn, and sharpen your craft,” he wrote. “They trained generations of us. They made careers. Mine included.”

This perspective is crucial. EA and Activision weren’t just businesses churning out games—they were institutions that developed talent and set industry standards. Countless developers who now lead studios or work on major projects got their start and learned their craft at these publishers.

The Bright Side: New Leaders Will Rise

Despite the “bittersweet” nature of his message, Schofield acknowledged that change creates opportunity.

What’s next for the industry:

New leaders will emerge
New studios will step up
New publishers will take the mantle
Someone will fill the void left by EA and Activision’s transitions

“Someone will take that mantle, we always do as an industry,” Schofield wrote optimistically. “And when they do, I hope they lead, teach, and invest in talent the way EA and Activision did.”

He emphasized that these companies “set a bar that pushed all of us to be better” and expressed sincere wishes for their success moving forward.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you EA and Activision for an amazing run and for everything you helped me become.”

Schofield’s Difficult Journey Since Striking Distance

The LinkedIn post takes on additional context when you consider Schofield’s recent career struggles.

The Callisto Protocol Disappointment

In 2022, Schofield’s Striking Distance Studios released The Callisto Protocol, a spiritual successor to Dead Space. Despite high expectations, the game flopped commercially and critically, leading to Schofield’s departure from the studio in 2023.

Dead Space 4 Hope

Earlier this year, Eurogamer reported that Schofield was “already making calls” to EA’s new owners in hopes of making Dead Space 4. As the executive producer on the original 2008 Dead Space, he has deep ties to the franchise even though he wasn’t involved in its sequels.

“May Have Directed My Last Game”

Perhaps most concerning, Schofield posted earlier this year that the games industry is “tough” after failing to obtain financial backing for his latest project, hinting he may have directed his last game.

This context makes his LinkedIn reflection even more poignant—he’s not just mourning the loss of EA and Activision’s dominance, but perhaps his own place in an industry that’s become increasingly challenging for veteran developers.

What This Means for the Gaming Industry

Schofield’s post highlights a broader transition happening across gaming:

The consolidation era:

Microsoft’s Activision acquisition reshaped the competitive landscape
EA faces its own ownership changes
Independent AAA publishers are becoming rarer

The talent question:

Where will the next generation of developers learn their craft?
Will new publishers invest in talent development like EA and Activision did?
Can the industry maintain its creative standards during this transition?

The nostalgia factor:

For developers who came up during EA and Activision’s primes, this feels like the end of an era
The “good old days” weren’t perfect, but they built the modern gaming industry

Stay updated on industry developments:

The Bottom Line

Glen Schofield’s reflection serves as both a eulogy and a thank-you note to the EA and Activision of the past. These weren’t just employers—they were institutions that shaped an entire generation of game developers.

Key takeaways:

EA’s disciplined approach and Activision’s passionate chaos both produced excellence
These companies trained generations of developers and set industry standards
Their transition creates opportunity for new leaders to emerge
The gaming industry always adapts, even when losing its giants

For developers who spent their formative years at these publishers, the changes represent more than corporate restructuring—they mark the end of an era that defined modern gaming.

Schofield’s message resonates because it acknowledges both the loss and the hope: Yes, EA and Activision as we knew them are fading, but the industry they helped build will continue evolving. New studios, new publishers, and new leaders will rise to fill the void.

The question isn’t whether the industry will survive this transition—it’s whether the new guard will maintain the same commitment to excellence and talent development that made EA and Activision legendary in the first place.

As Schofield himself said: “They set a bar that pushed all of us to be better.” Here’s hoping the next generation of publishers can clear that bar.

Sledgehammer Founder Glen Schofield on EA Sale: “Watching Them Fade Hits Harder Than Expected”

Two Gaming Giants Enter New Eras